Katherine Albrecht: Windows 10 Is Full Blown Electronic Tyranny

[Omni]

deleted---

[WhiteLove]

Omniverse, thanks for this! Anyone here know any YouTube video demonstrating the keylogger data being sent over the network? That would be an incredible YouTube video that I'm sure would generate millions of views...! But it's probably sent encrypted in kernel mode so you can't even easily tap into that stream of data eventhough you have "full" access to the machine (and who knows maybe someone else has more access), pretty scary stuff...

Found this:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=6XjCA9q7WsQ

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=cSZ04AZhyM4

Please note, the guy in the video above does not know anything, he has no clue (all he did was to copy a few lines of code from a forum and added his own personal ideas/opinions to it), these things you must confirm by capturing the raw data being logged. The entire possible scope of key logging must be captured since the privacy agreement does not state what the scope of the keylogging is and what processes go into that scope. Now, that information might be out there somewhere, but so far I have not seen it. The only real way you can find out this is by monitoring all data being sent from any network adapter from a computer with W 10 installed, decrypt possible encryptions and then find out exactly what is being sent, how and when. And that requires tons of expertise. If this feature has the origin it seems to have, you can bet that it's not going to be easy to find and turn it off, in fact I think it might not even be possible to turn it off without kernel level access which users or administrators don't have.

There is another issue here as well, which is that the way the data is being collected does not necessarily need to be done through a keylogger. Those characters could be collected at the system level by the system at the receiving end, if the system did not have access to the raw data being received from the user, it could not read it. So the way the data is being collected is important relative to what is stated in the privacy agreement. Every time a new OS is being made, the owners of the OS can decide what access, how the access is distributed and why, in regards to their own access and the normal user/administrator access. How the data is synced up to the cloud might for instance be during wake up/shutdown when the memory is recalled/released, it could be buffered so that chunks of data portions at a time are sent so that users cannot notice anything.

Also, if they don't state how this works, its scope and how you turn it off, then that is an indicator that access to the whats, hows and whys about this are denied to the public.

In general, this is bad news.

I think the real question here is: Can one find the data being logged and sent and prove it. And I bet one can't unless you are a highly skilled security specialist/researcher having inside information about how the OS was built and know how and where to look for it, how it has been embedded/encrypted... The implications of not being able to find the data stream containing the keys being logged, yet at the same time having agreed to allow the keys being logged, those are enormous!

I would like to know what encryption is trusted so much that this is done. I mean it's one thing to want access to all of the users data and get that, it's a different thing if it leaves the system vulnerable to third parties picking up the same data. Just the existence of something like this in an OS appears to make that system unsecure. So the scenario here could be that the whats, hows, and whys about all of this might be unaccessible for "those" security reasons. This in turn leaves normal users with nothing left but a choice that needs to be made.

[Cardillac]

if what I've read so far is true Windows 10 is a user's nightmare (we all need to realize anyone who uses Windows has opened up their PC to surveillance); and I continue to be bombarded with ads trying to convince me to "upgrade" to Windows 10 which I flatly refuse; but just coming from a user's standpoint (surveillance aside- we already have that regardless of Windows program labeling) if what I've read is true trying to navigate through Windows 10 is like entering a labyrinth...

please be well all-

Larry

[Daughter of Time]

I decided to watch a film on TV last night. During the commercial break, I saw the first ad for "Windows 10". It goes like this:

One happy baby, after another happy baby, after another happy baby, are playing in their cribs on in a play pen, etc.,

The voice says something like this: "their lives will be greatly enhanced because they will grow up with 'Windows 10'".

It made me wonder how on earth these babies' lives would be enhanced! The OP video explains exactly how.

If I were a naïve, unsuspecting parent, would I buy what the commercial promises? Maybe!

Brain washing becomes more subtle and more sophisticated day by day!

[Hervé]

Well, their "Free upgrade" is so screwy that it wouldn't even install on my brother's laptop... he got tired of seeing the "Free Upgrade" pop-up window keeping coming back that he finally clicked on the "Yes/OK"... and I spent a good portion of my afternoon attempting to get it to revert to Windows 7... which it finally did.

The latter, though, makes me wonder what kind of "leftovers" are remaining from the botched install?

Anyone remembers the big troubles they had with Windows 8? You know, the one that completely fried some laptops and PCs because the install was performing some "Firmware updates" on some components?

Maybe, with Windows 10, they are more successful with "Firmware updates"? You know... this kind of "Firmware updates": How the NSA’s Firmware Hacking Works and Why It’s So Unsettling

[Karezza]

Thanks Omniverse for the information, I am in agreement with you over your preferred operating systems. Of course whether one is on Windows 10 or another version of Windows may not matter, Microsoft could just have easily packaged those spy features on other versions of Windows through their regular Windows Updates and people would possibly not notice. Once a computer is connected to a network especially one that is online privacy can become scarce. It is believed president Putin and if I remember correctly the Clintons prefer to type up sensitive information by using a particular version of typewriter.

[Hervé]

With respect to the "Keylogger" thingy... it's been around for a long while... and I just discovered it not long ago because my cooling fan was hyperventilating... checked "Taskmgr"...

"Monitor.exe" was gobbling up 16 CPU units... ixQuicked "Monitor.exe":

Monitor.exe process in Windows Task Manager

Description: Monitor.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. Monitor.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files". Known file sizes on Windows 8/7/XP are 397,312 bytes (25% of all occurrences), 352,256 bytes and 94 more variants.

Monitor.exe is not a Windows system file. The program is not visible. The application is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: MACHINE\Run, MACHINE\User Shell Folders, Run, User Shell Folders, Winlogon\Shell). Monitor.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs and monitor applications. Therefore the technical security rating is 45% dangerous, however you should also read the user reviews.

... you know... the things that one sends out as a report to Microsoft when an application quits working... most of the report is made by what "Monitor.exe" recorded just prior to the crash to get the data on what caused the crash... well, at least that's the justification given for its existence.

[ThePythonicCow]

Steve Gibson, of Spinrite fame (see Steve's website at http://grc.com -- the "grc" stands for Gibson Research Corp), is one of the all time premier Windows programmers out there, and has been so since the early days of DOS. He runs Windows on all his main systems and knows its internals very well, all the way down to the assembly and hardware levels.

Earlier this year, in his weekly Security Now podcast with Leo Laporte (a must listen to series, now starting its eleventh year, if you're interested in the details of PC and Web security), Steve Gibson mentioned now and then that he was looking forward to trying Windows 10, and would be deciding whether to upgrade his main system(s) to it.

Steve Gibson has now tried Windows 10. He now openly refers to it as a turd (and Steve seldom uses foul language), and he has vowed to never run Windows 10 on his systems.

Ouch .

[ThePythonicCow]

Posted by Hervé (here)
... you know... the things that one sends out as a report to Microsoft when an application quits working... most of the report is made by what "Monitor.exe" recorded just prior to the crash to get the data on what caused the crash... well, at least that's the justification given for its existence.

Microsoft is on my "do not trust" list ... and has been so for a long time. Windows 10 has earned them a higher place on this list.

[Calz]

Who is to say with all the "automatic updates" these things won't be slipped into all Windows platforms???

Right?

[RunningDeer]

Posted by Daughter of Time (here)
I decided to watch a film on TV last night. During the commercial break, I saw the first ad for "Windows 10".

“A more human way to do.”

Introducing Windows 10 - The future starts now

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=AFJ1a1D4hdo

Introducing Windows 10 - The future starts now

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gu6vmNz-PhE

Published on Jul 19, 2015
Now with #Windows10 you can create and share in ways you never thought possible. Windows recognizes you, responds to you and even learns with you. Welcome to a more human way to do. Get started at http://windows.com/10

[KiwiElf]

Posted by Calz (here)
Who is to say with all the "automatic updates" these things won't be slipped into all Windows platforms???

Right?

My recommendation would be to get Windows 7 while copies still remain and permanently disable Windows Updates (along with a good malware/virus checker) - and stay off dodgy sites

Either that, or buy an Apple Mac (or run Linux)

[Harley]

Speaking of updates . . .

Microsoft Kills Patch Notes, Will No Longer Explain Most Windows 10 Updates

August 21, 2015

When Microsoft debuted Windows 10, it began offering significantly less information about KB updates in any given package. Instead of getting a clickable link that provided more than a bare sentence of information, users have to manually search for KB articles based on the given name. While this isn’t difficult, it’s an example of how Redmond has made it a bit more difficult to know what the OS is doing or why it’s doing it. Now, the company has stated that this obfuscation isn’t an artifact of a rushed launch — the company will not explain feature updates unless it deems them significant.

Over the past few weeks, Microsoft has drawn increasing fire for its update policies. To date, Microsoft has released three KB Cumulative Updates (CUs) — KB 3081424 (August 5), KB 3081436 (August 12) and KB 3081438 (August 14). All are described in precisely the same way: “This update includes improvements to enhance the functionality of Windows 10.” All three cumulative updates contain an unexplained bug that traps some PCs in an endless reboot cycle, according to InfoWorld. Some users, who successfully installed the patch, have begun having trouble accessing the Windows Store and downloading updates from it. Others, who had problems with the store after the first CU, have reported that the second or third fixed their problem.



These cumulative updates are different from previous Windows Update releases in Windows 7 / 8.1. In the past, each KB was downloaded and applied individually, if Microsoft detected that the update should be offered to your system. Now, each cumulative update contains all previous updates. In theory, this allows for a streamlined download and installation process. In practice, it’s causing major problems. Microsoft no longer distinguishes between most security updates, feature updates, and bug fixes. It also gives no information about what bug fixes or feature updates do, which makes it nearly impossible to troubleshoot any given problem.

The Register reached out to Microsoft, hoping for clarification on what level of patch notes the company planned to issue in the future. According to Microsoft, “As we have done in the past, we post KB articles relevant to most updates which we’ll deliver with Windows as a service. Depending on the significance of the update and if it is bringing new functionality to Windows customers, we may choose to do additional promotion of new features as we deploy them.”

Read more at EXTREMETECH

With their Operating System being proprietary like it is, they are gradually taking away more and more control over it by the End User.

With that on top of all the virus and malware problems you have to contend with, PLUS all of the Third-Party Software/Programs that you (are supposed to) have to buy, I said Forget It years ago and I've been happy ever since.

I'd much rather spend a little time learning something new than I would spending lots of money, I have full control of what comes in and what goes out, and I don't have to be concerned by viruses and malware.

Ubuntu Linux for the past five years.

[KiwiElf]

Posted by KiwiElf (here)

Posted by Calz (here)
Who is to say with all the "automatic updates" these things won't be slipped into all Windows platforms???

Right?

My recommendation would be to get Windows 7 while copies still remain and permanently disable Windows Updates (along with a good malware/virus checker) - and stay off dodgy sites

Either that, or buy an Apple Mac (or run Linux)

Your suspicions are correct, Calz: this from BIN: (readers may wish to click on the link to get all the sublinks in the article)



Windows 7/8/8.1 Updates Spy on You Just Like Windows 10 - How to Disable Telemetry
Tuesday, August 25, 2015 21:39

http://beforeitsnews.com/science-and...y-2780752.html

(Before It's News)

There’s been a lot of discussion about Telemetry in Windows as well as avoiding the Windows 10 upgrade. Here is the list of service bulletins we compiled and what they do. It should be noted that even when not installed, they may appear again so this will require some effort on your part. Most people will simply not bother with this but it’s great information for any tech to have at their disposal or simply for research purposes.

If you have already installed Windows and did a few updates, then head over to Control Panel > Programs and Features > View Installed Updates then go from the top to the bottom through the list to ensure none of them is installed, if you do find one installed, then uninstall it, reboot, then check for updates and once it appears right click on it and hide it.

KB2505438 (Although it claims to fix performance issues, it often breaks fonts)
KB2670838 (This update often breaks AERO on Windows 7 and makes some fonts on websites fuzzy. A Windows 7 specific update only, do not install IE10 or 11 otherwise it will be bundled with them, IE9 is the max version you should install to avoid this.
KB2952664 (Windows 10 Upgrade preparation)
KB2976978 (Windows 10 Upgrade preparation)
KB2977759 (Windows 10 Upgrade preparation)
KB2990214 (Windows 10 Upgrade preparation)
KB3021917 (Windows 10 Upgrade preparatioon + Telemetry)
KB3022345 (Telemetry)
KB3035583 (Windows 10 upgrade preparation)
KB3068708 (Telemetry)
KB3075249 (Telemetry)
KB3080149 (Telemetry)

Thanks Matrix Leader for putting together this list of service bulletins.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/news/story...0_upgrade.html
Microsoft is pushing KB3075249 and KB3080149 updates for Windows 7/8/8.1 users which can spy on you

Windows 10 has been launched and already installed by more than 50 million users worldwide. It is now a known fact that Windows 10 user data is being reported to Microsoft servers back in Redmond. The jury is still out on whether this is a good or bad practice, but many of the Windows 10 Apps like Cortana depend on getting your preferences correct to serve you better.

This being the case, many Windows users who are not happy with the spying ways of Windows 10, are preferring to stay on with Windows 7/Windows 8 and Window 8.1 as the case (version) might be. For these Windows 7/8/8.1 users, there are a few updates which Microsoft has been pushing through over the last few days.

Namely, KB3075249 and KB3080149, if installed, are known to report your data back to Microsoft servers.

KB3075249 update adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7. The Microsoft support page gives following description for them :

KB3075249 “Update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 ”

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3075249

KB3080149 “This update aligns down-level devices on the same UTC binary that’s released in Windows 10. This update would enable all the down-level devices to receive the software updates, design updates, and additional power and performance tuning.”

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3080149

In simple words, both these updates, if downloaded and installed, will snoop on you and report back certain data to the Microsoft servers.

Once you have updated your Windows 7/8/8.1 with these updates, your PC is no better than Windows 10, as it will report back your user data.

There is little news about these updates but tech forums are already abuzz about their spying ways. Some users on forums have reported additional updates from Microsoft which are to be avoided :

KB2505438
KB2670838 – Windows 7 Only (breaks AERO functionality and gives you blurry fonts on some websites)
KB2952664
KB2976978 – Windows 8 only
KB3021917
KB3035583
KB3075249

If you are a privacy lover or dont want your data to be sent to unwanted entities, avoid the above updates. All these updates are optional and will not harm your PC if you do not install them.

To stop your Windows 7/8/8.1 PC from downloading these updates, go to your Windows Update, click on the check box besides this updates and hide them.

Do remember, these updates may reappear after a reboot. Therefore keep a check on what your Windows 7/8/8.1 PC updates before you install them.

http://www.techworm.net/2015/08/new-...indows-10.html

The following updates bring more thorough telemetry and data collecting features to your older operating systems:

kb3068708
kb3022345
kb3075249
kb3080149

If you don’t wish to share any data whatsoever with Microsoft, you should not install these updates.

http://winaero.com/blog/telemetry-an...windows-8-too/

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2505438

Symptoms
On a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you may experience slow performance in applications that use the DirectWrite API (for example, Windows Internet Explorer 9). Performance traces show that each application is loading all the available fonts instead of relying on the FontCache service to render the fonts.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...e-evil-update/
KB 2670838 – The EVIL UPDATE
MU
MS7 user asked on
Microsoft:
Why don’t you fix the errors caused by KB 2670838 instead of having my computer re-install it as part of IE 10 without giving me any warning that it was going to do that?
This update has two effects on my system*; 1. For whatever reason, it turns the lower taskbar turquoise, 2. Explorer 9 or 10 and Chrome 25 get a 60 delay in information typed into them with internet speeds reminiscent of dial-up, while Firefox 19 ceases to function at all; The internet becomes essentially non-usable.
I wasted an entire day on this two weeks ago including an hour on the phone with one of your technicians when it was first installed. He had no idea what the problem was and I eventually gave up and uninstalled it. My problems ceased immediately upon its removal.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...a25dc3d?auth=1

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2952664
telemetry win 7

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2976978
Compatibility update for Windows 8.1 and Windows 8
The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2977759
”Additional file information for Windows 7″ section. MUM, MANIFEST, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files
telemetry

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2990214
Update that enables you to upgrade from Windows 7 to a later version of Windows
Important Do not install a language pack after you install this update. If you do, the language-specific changes in the update will not be applied, and you will have to reinstall the update. For more information, see Add language packs to Windows.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3021917
Update to Windows 7 SP1 for performance improvements
This update performs diagnostics in Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) in order to determine whether performance issues may be encountered when the latest Windows operating system is installed. Telemetry is sent back to Microsoft for those computers that participate in the Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP). This update will help Microsoft and its partners deliver better system performance for customers who are seeking to install the latest Windows operating system.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3022345
Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry
This update has been replaced by the latest update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry that was first released on June 2, 2015

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583
Update installs Get Windows 10 app in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1
This update applies to Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Internet Explorer 11 (IE11). Before you install this update, check out the Prerequisites section.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3068708
Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry
This article describes an update for Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1), and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. Before you install this update, check out the Prerequisites section.
About this update
This update introduces the Diagnostics and Telemetry tracking service to existing devices
Additional information
The included service uses SSL (TCP Port 443) to download manifests and upload data to Microsoft when data is available for upload. The service uses the following DNS endpoints:
vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
settings-win.data.microsoft.com
This update contains the following two manifests that are occasionally updated by the Diagnostic Tracking Service:
telemetry.ASM-WindowsDefault.json
utc.app.json
The two files are marked as static files in the update. When an advanced user runs the System File Checker Tool (sfc.exe), the files are unintentionally flagged as corrupted. There is no impact or actual corruption on a device that is running this update, and this issue will be fixed in a later service update.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075249
Update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7
About this update
This update adds telemetry points to the User Account Control (UAC) feature to collect information on elevations that come from low integrity levels.
This update is provided as an Optional update on Windows Update.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3080149
Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry
This article describes an update for Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
About this update
This package updates the Diagnostics and Telemetry tracking service to existing devices.

and don’t for get put Updates on > Notify me but don’t automatic download or install then

You pick only the good ones ):- be good or Microsoft will RAT you out.

or get a mac or linux

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MarkMonitor

MarkMonitor Inc. is an American software company founded in 1999. It develops software intended to protect corporate brands from Internet counterfeiting, fraud, piracy and cybersquatting. It also develops and publishes reports on the prevalence of brand abuse on the Internet. MarkMonitor acquired AllDomains in 2001 and DtecNet in 2010

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...-55673552.html

MarkMonitor to Provide Data to Help Microsoft Protect Customers From Phishing
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — MarkMonitor(R), a leader
in online corporate identity protection, announced today that it is working
with Microsoft to help combat online identity theft. MarkMonitor’s fraud
detection and response services monitor the Internet around the clock to
detect and confirm phish attacks and other online fraud on behalf of financial
institutions and other corporations.
As a result of this agreement with Microsoft, MarkMonitor will deliver
information about confirmed phish attacks against its customers directly to
Microsoft for use by the company’s Microsoft(R) Phishing Filter and
SmartScreen(TM) Technology.

[spacejack]

Now is a good time to switch to a linux version such as Ubuntu, or linuxMint (others to).

The Windows free updrade to 10 is simple. Its all about the data. Literally everything you do on your pc will be logged, processed, sold and/or used.

This is done in a lot of ways currently, most programs ask for permissions to access and store certain usage data. Google Chrome is a big example of this, how much data they can take by default without users really knowing (search "google opt out")

The data collection isn't just for quality assurance. Its to monetize your daily life by tracking locations, interests, hobbies, relationships, etc. Also they will provide a sort of low entry point for programs to utilize this data as well. Similar to your phones ability to share location (gps), or tilt controls.

For example they will be able to determine the follow info by default for every windows 10 user:
Business or personal use
male or female
age
accessed websites, duration, frequency
usage cross device
apps installed, accessed, duration etc
usage details (time logged on, time active, clicks, words per minute,)
profession
estimated income
political party
relationships status, related computers/users
location
places traveled
usage intentions (where you will go each day, etc)
So much more

And with this information (and more) they can extrapolate even more. They have algorithms to figure out the info that is more abstract and make predictions. Similar to how Amazon predicts when you will reorder based on consumable purchases.

All this type of tracking is already going on but its been so broken up that there is a lot of guess work due to current privacy restrictions. But basically Windows 10 opens the flood gates for data and its purpose is to monetize anyway possible.

I urge everyone to consider OS alternatives. The main one to suggest is Ubuntu, or another linux flavor. There are versions for whistleblowers that are super secure.

Hopefully this thread can be built on with information displaying these points and with help to move onto another system.

[Sean]

I'll probably go with ubuntu..so sick of microsoft and their BS..

[greybeard]

Posted by workingactor (here)
I'll probably go with ubuntu..so sick of microsoft and their BS..

I have used Ubuntu for about 6 years--its fast, trouble free, self maintaining---the speed does not decrease.
Have never had a virus
Most soft ware is free in particular the word processor.
The reason I say that is my wife Rosaline has Windows and has to pay for Word not once, but every year--you can only rent it a year at a time.

I therefore have no hesitation in recommending Ubuntu, if you have enough space on your hard drive you can partition it and put Ubuntu in one section and keep your current windows.
Oh and you can get Ubuntu free
Best wishes
Chris

[KiwiElf]

There are already two other threads about this, spacejack - perhaps they could be merged? Windows 7 - 8.2 are now equally vulnerable to Updates too. Thanks for the extra warning tho... I'll stick to my Mac

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...122#post993122

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...432#post984432

[Harley]

There is a huge amount of resources on the internet, and a simple Google Search will almost always direct you to answers to or help with any problems you might have.

Whether you're just getting started or been using it for awhile, I personally recommend this site:
Easy Linux tips project

Easy Linux Tips For Beginners And For Advanced Users

Complete starters' guide for Linux Mint and Ubuntu: both are "Linux made easy", or even "Linux for dummies". They are eminently suitable for beginners with Linux, and have become very popular because of that. Both are entirely free, so they won't cost you anything!

Also, to add to what Chris mentioned about the word processor: It is compatible with MS Office/Word.

The program currently provided with the Ubuntu distribution is LibreOffice.

And it's all free!

[Cardillac]

if what I've read is true (not much but very telling) Windows 10 is a nightmare because it's incredibly tedious to navigate, just for starters-

Larry